The booklist
With his monthly edit of the latest cookbook releases, Mark Diacono discovers weekly rotation-worthy vegetarian recipes, learns the benefits of bitterness and appreciates the beauty, diversity and versatility of rice
Recipe I can’t wait to make: Irish apple cake with whiskey sultanas (above).
I didn’t know that… Waterford blaas (delicious soft rolls, let me tell you) have been awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
BOOK OF THE MONTH
THE IRISH BAKERY
This beautiful collaboration between photographer Andrew Montgomery and cookery writer Cherie Denham, with essays by Kitty Corrigan, tells the story not of a specific bakery but of bakers, cooks, millers, smokers, growers and other food artisans across the entire island of Ireland. Published through Montgomery’s own imprint, this book has clearly been conceived of as a whole: the photography – landscapes, people, interiors, ingredients and recipes – the design and the words come together beautifully. The writing is intimate and revealing, and the 80-plus recipes are a real joy: among many delights, expect numerous loaves (including soda bread and treacle and linseed bread), buns, biscuits, cakes (hello, Irish cream cheesecake), appealing pies and more that convey the unique nature of Ireland’s baking and cultural heritage.